What is Copilot Studio? (Create Custom AI Chatbots)

In this video, Jonathan Silva from Pragmatic Works introduces the newly updated Co-pilot Studio (formerly known as Power Virtual Agent) and walks users through how to build custom co-pilots using the platform. With the 2024 updates, Co-pilot Studio now offers enhanced design features and improved access to knowledge sources, making it easier for users to create and deploy AI-powered virtual assistants.

Getting Started with Co-pilot Studio

To begin using Co-pilot Studio, users must navigate to copilotstudio.microsoft.com and ensure they are working in the correct environment. After accessing the platform, Jonathan demonstrates how to create a new co-pilot, which involves providing a description of the co-pilot's purpose, such as assisting users with information about Pragmatic Works and the Power Platform.

Adding Knowledge Sources

One of the standout features of Co-pilot Studio is its ability to pull knowledge from various sources, including public websites, files, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Dataverse. Jonathan walks through the steps of adding knowledge sources:

1. Select the "Add Knowledge" option to input knowledge from a website or file.
2. Paste the URL of a public website, such as pragmaticworks.com, to quickly integrate knowledge from that site.
3. Upload files like PDFs or Word documents, which are stored in Microsoft Dataverse, and allow the co-pilot to reference text from these documents during conversations.

Testing and Customizing Responses

Once knowledge sources are added, Jonathan shows how to test the co-pilot by asking questions that can be answered based on the provided sources. For example, he asks, "What is CTXP?" and the co-pilot retrieves the relevant information from the website, along with a citation linking back to the source. Users can customize the appearance and behavior of these responses, adjusting elements like citation formatting and response length.

Generative AI and Security Settings

Co-pilot Studio also includes AI tools that help generate responses based on user interactions. Jonathan explores how users can fine-tune the AI settings to balance accuracy and response generation, and he explains how to set up authentication for publishing the co-pilot. For security purposes, authentication options are available through Microsoft Entra, and users can manage how their co-pilot is accessed by others.

Publishing and Deploying the Co-pilot

Once the co-pilot is ready, users can publish it across multiple channels such as Microsoft Teams, Power Apps, or custom websites. Jonathan highlights how easy it is to point the co-pilot to the desired platform and manage deployment settings for a seamless user experience.

Conclusion

Co-pilot Studio is a powerful tool for creating customized virtual assistants, providing users with access to a wide range of knowledge sources and AI-powered interactions. The new 2024 features enhance its capabilities, making it easier to build and deploy co-pilots tailored to specific needs. 

Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on CoPilot and other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.